Catastrophic spill of 4,000 tons of oil from two ships of the Russian “shadow fleet”

Environmental disaster in Krasnodar province in southern Russia 4,000 tons of oil spill Two ships from the so-called Russian “shadow fleet” last weekend. This Tuesday, oil stains were floating in the sea damaged by the storm Two Russian tankers in the Kerch Strait.

Russian authorities declared a state of emergency. Approximate device on the coast of the city of Anapa 300 workers will clean the beaches Crude oil remained. Kuban Governor Veniamin Kondratiev also confirmed the arrival of the black tide Following the sinking of two Russian oil tankers over the weekend. One of the ships broke in half and sank, spilling approximately 3,700 tons of low-quality heavy fuel oil, mazut.

The ships were carrying approximately 9,200 tons of crude oil.

While videos circulating on social media show oil hitting the ‘Pearl of Russia’ beach, local media also seabirds are completely covered in oil. The exact extent of the damage is not yet clear, but it is stated that the leak could be even larger. one of the biggest environmental disasters in the region in recent years.

Russian tankers Volgoneft 239 and Volgoneft 212 were severely damaged during an accident. Storm near the Black Sea on Sunday. The ships were carrying approximately 9,200 tons of mazut, a heavy, low-quality petroleum product. One of the ships ran aground, tearing off its bow and breaking in half, causing it to sink. It is estimated that approximately 3,700 tons of mazut spilled into the sea.

There were 13 crew members on board. According to authorities, A sailor died in a shipwreck. The other tanker had 14 crew members and all of them were evacuated safely. Both ships were over 50 years old. It caused concern in the EU Russia’s use of obsolete tankers as part of its so-called “shadow fleet” has also had an impact on the shipping industry.

Environmental concerns and EU sanctions

Last week, The European Union imposed new sanctions on Russia and the so-called “shadow fleet” of aging, uninsured oil tankers that have escaped Western constraints and pose significant environmental and security threats.

The European Union and the maritime industry have previously expressed concerns about Russia’s use of nuclear weapons. Ships in poor condition that pose significant environmental and safety threats.

Russian oil: a source of income to finance the war in Ukraine

oil one important source of incomefinance the war The Kremlin in Ukraine. The EU introduced a ceiling price of $60 (57.2 euros) per barrel for Russian crude oil in 2022, banning Western companies from servicing tankers selling oil above that limit.

In order to bypass the cover, Moscow created a “shadow fleet” of old tankers and the uninsured, with uncertain ownership and uncertain insurance structures. “To evade sanctions, the Russian ‘ghost fleet’ uses a variety of tactics to disguise the origin of its cargo, while taking advantage of flags of convenience and complex ownership and management structures,” a source at the European Parliament said in a written statement. he said.